Honda CR-Z pictured here is close to production model (Source: Autoblog)

CR-Z hybrid sport coupe will debut in Japan in February

Hybrid automobiles are all the rage
right now with consumers looking to save at the pump and become more
eco-friendly. The clear leader in the hybrid realm is still Toyota
with its Prius, but for car enthusiasts that like sporty vehicles,
the Prius is hardly appropriate.

In September, Honda pulled
the wraps off its revamped CR-Z
hybrid sports coupe concept. The vehicle is designed to remind of
the CR-X that was popular in the 1980's to 1990's for Honda. Honda
was vague about the details of the vehicle when it revealed the
concept car other than to report the car was only 161 inches long and
would use a 1.5-liter i-VETEC 4-cylinder with Honda's IMA hybrid
power train. The car is pegged to sell in the $19,000 to $25,000
range.

Autoblog reports that Honda has confirmed
that the CR-Z will be coming to the U.S. in the fall of 2010 with
a six-speed manual transmission. The vehicle should be the first
hybrid vehicle to hit the states sporting a 6-speed manual
transmission. Autoblog also notes that the images seen here of
the concept are close to what the production vehicle will look
like.

The LED lighting will likely change slightly and the
mirrors will likely grow. As for official specifications for the
powertrain, pricing, and performance; Honda offers no details at this
point. The vehicle is set to go on sale in Japan in February so
details should be coming around that time.

"Well, we didn't have anyone in line that got shot waiting for our system." -- Nintendo of America Vice President Perrin Kaplan